Home and Garden

Did you know that South Carolina is home to the largest old growth bottomland forest left in North America?
The Congaree Swamp National Park protects a primeval forested floodplain intermittently washed by the Congaree and Wateree rivers. This flooding carries nutrient rich sediment that feeds an amazingly diverse ecosystem, including 75 protected tree species and world record trees. Among the national champions is the country’s tallest loblolly pine, standing as high as a 16-story building.

Gregory A. Summersgsummers@thelancasternews.com
Katie Stogner is smiling a lot now than she was in February and there’s a lot less of her to be smiling.
Stogner completed the grinding 12-week fitness challenge at Island Sun Fitness and Tanning, and the new mom is 32 pounds lighter. After giving birth to her son, Thaxton, on Dec. 7, 2011, she hoped to lose 30 pounds and exceeded her target.

Nita Brown
For the Lancaster News
The Lancaster City Fire Department came to the rescue in a different way for YouthBuild and Habitat for Humanity of Lancaster County on Friday, June 1. Hoping to beat the ugly weather forecast, a team of 15 city firefighters, working as volunteers, showed up early at the Meeting Street job site to set roof trusses on the new home under construction.

Twyla Tharp, a famous American dancer and choreographer, is quoted in her book, “The Creative Habit,” as saying “... reading, conversation, environment, culture, heroes, mentors, nature – all are lottery tickets for creativity. Scratch away at them, and you’ll find out how big a prize you’ve won.”

Michele Roberts
For The Lancaster News
Ah, to be in a garden in the cool of the day, with the fresh smell of the earth and plants filling the air. On Beaverland Farm on Hoke Road in Lancaster County, Robert and Lisa Bowers enjoy a bounty of the fruit of the earth – and all of the sights and smells that go with it – in a half acre garden on their property.
The garden began coming to life in February, Lisa Bowers said.

Angelo Sciulli
For The Lancaster News
The word “bee” usually makes people think of the honeybee. However, honeybees, Apis mellifora, were imported from Europe by the early colonists for their honey. The wild colonies of honeybees in North America are a result of the bees’ tendency to swarm.

Editor’s note: The Lancaster News is tracking the progress of Katie Stogner and Jeff Holden as they undertake the Island Sun Tanning and Fitness 12-week Challenge for 2012. Here is their third progress report. You can also follow their progress at stevelewisplan.com.
Katie’s story

First Baptist Church
SeraphSong: The Singing Women of South Carolina will be in concert at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 21, in the First Baptist Church sanctuary, 300 S. Market St.
SeraphSong members present the ministry of Christ through music. The purpose is to glorify God by providing choral experiences of excellence that encourage worship, provide leadership training and offer fellowship among women in ministry in South Carolina Baptist churches, according to organizers.

Sherry Archie
For The Lancaster News
This time of year, our thoughts turn toward spending more time outside enjoying the welcome warmer temperatures of spring. As the daylight hours slowly extend, many homeowners are finding creative ways to turn their patios and porches into outdoor living spaces. Decorating magazines and sale papers are filled with ideas to add comfortable seating and accessories to create your own outdoor room.

Lancaster Women’s Club
The Lancaster Women’s Club will sponsor Jam’n for a Cure from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. March 23 at Famdamily’s Restaurant and Tavern, 1227 Great Falls Highway.
Admission is $5 and proceeds benefit Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.
Featured bands include A Few Shots Down, The Pam Taylor Band, Eight Oh Tree and Element. Dance music will be provided by DJ J Dub. There will also be a raffle for several prizes.